England coach Thomas Tuchel has announced his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, featuring strikers Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins. Both forwards have been instrumental for their respective clubs, with Toney excelling at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, where he helped secure the AFC Champions League Elite trophy. Meanwhile, Watkins has made a significant impact at Aston Villa, contributing to their UEFA Europa League triumph, which has ensured their participation in the Champions League next season.

Notable Inclusions and Exclusions

Among the notable selections is Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has impressed under interim manager Michael Carrick. However, there is no place for experienced defender Harry Maguire in the squad. Chelsea's Cole Palmer, who played a key role in their FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ victory and scored in the UEFA EURO 2024 final against Spain, has been left out due to an injury-affected season. Additionally, Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold are also missing from Tuchel’s final selection.

Maintaining a Strong Core

Tuchel has largely retained the squad that achieved a perfect record during the qualifying campaign, with captain Harry Kane leading the charge for the Three Lions as they aim for their first World Cup title since 1966. The provisional squad will be finalized by FIFA after the submission deadline on June 2.

In a statement on the England app, Tuchel expressed his confidence in the selected players, stating, "It has been a tough process to decide on the nomination, but I have full belief in this group of players. They all deserve their place." He emphasized the importance of team chemistry in international football and acknowledged the challenges of making tough decisions during the selection process.